History clearly tells that immigration was not as we know it today. For many, being a citizen of the United States came naturally when their forefathers walked into the country via the New York Harbor. More than twelve million migrants have been assessed and permitted to walk in to the United States in the last sixty two years since the country’s immigration department has offered its services. This is as per the Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation. These immigrants had to undergo a physical examination which was followed by identity verification. Of these, around ninety eight percent were granted permission to enter the country.

The concept of DNA testing was alien to the authorities then. The Bureau of Immigration was accountable for matching identities and ensuring that the right people have been allowed to pass through. They had to question the migrants and contrast their answers with the questionnaire that has been filled in prior.

However, with changing times and with the advent of technology, the mode of assessment has become sleeker than ever. With this, the department also emerged to be known as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or commonly known as the USCIS. Today, the USCIS asks for a proof that could be verified better for an individual’s identity before granting a permit to enter.

Today, there are many ways to gain a permit to enter the United States. One such method is through having family relations. Immediate blood relatives such as those of parents, siblings or children who are US citizens could be verified for. In such a case, the US citizen is known as the petitioner and the foreign relative is called as the beneficiary. Here, evidence proving the relationship between the petitioner and beneficiary has to be produced. This proof can be in the form of birth certificates, census or school records or any form of documentation which is relevant.

It is also agreed that there are instances where it is difficult to find any form of documentation. In fact, a fire led to the complete destruction of the first ever immigration records that were stored at the Ellis Island processing facility. Records that have been lost or misplaced due to natural disasters or due to negligent officials are common.

To cater to the above problem, the USCIS has come up with a more sound system of identity verification. And so came in the concept of DNA testing to state a particular blood relationship.

No other form of assessment can be better at judging the blood ties between any two individuals. Any accredited laboratory under the American Association of Blood Banks is capable of proving the relationship with an accuracy of ninety nine percent. Thus, a DNA test is best form of testing which makes the process of verification very precise. This test is required as evidence in case of sponsoring foreign nationals.

The test is a painless process where in a sample of the petitioner and the beneficiary’s DNA is taken. These samples are tested at specific laboratories that are designated by the USCIS. The results are then forwarded to the office of the Homeland Security. These reports act as proof for both the USCIS and the Department of State to verify the applicants.

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Immediate relative petition

An immediate relative petition is for U.S. citizens who are interested in sponsoring one of their immediate relatives to come and live in the U.S. Immediate relatives include:

• Spouses;
• Parents; or
• Children who are under 21 years of age and unmarried.

When you file an immediate relative petition your relative will not have to wait for a visa number. If he or she is outside the U.S. they will be given a visa number immediately. If your relative is already inside the U.S. he or she will be allowed to apply to adjust his or her temporary status to “permanent resident” as soon as the petition is approved.

Preference petition

A preference petition can be filed by:

• A U.S. citizen on behalf of an unmarried adult child (21 years of age or older);
• A legal permanent resident for a spouse, unmarried child (under 21 years old), or unmarried adult child (21 years old or older); or
• An employer on behalf of an employee.

Unlike an immediate relative petition, the person for which the petition is being made must wait until a visa number is available. As there are a limited number of people who are entitled to enter the U.S. each year through the preference petition program, the application may take some time to process. Processing times will vary according to the applicant’s preference category.

Preference is given in the following order:

• First Preference: Unmarried, adult (over 21 years old) children of U.S. citizens;
• Second Preference: Spouses of lawful permanent residents and unmarried children (regardless of age) of lawful permanent residents and their children;
• Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, their spouses and their minor children;
• Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens, their spouses and their minor children.

Preferences based on employment are issued in the following order:

• First Preference: Priority Workers including aliens with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors and researchers, and certain multinational executives and managers;
• Second Preference: Members of Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability;
• Third Preference: Skilled Workers, professionals and other qualified workers;
• Fourth: Certain special immigrants including those in religious vocations;
• Fifth: Employment Creation Immigrants.

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To summarize, immediate relative petitions are for the spouses, parents, and unmarried children (under 21) of U.S. citizens. Preference petitions are for everyone else wishing to sponsor an individual for permanent residence.

If you require more information about immediate relative petitions and preference petitions or are unsure about which petition to apply for you may want to consult an immigration lawyer. An immigration lawyer can provide you with a thorough assessment and expert immigration advice. To consult an immigration lawyer, contact United States Immigration Support at www.USAimmigrationSupport.com.